tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52698113370061238532018-09-17T03:14:22.577-04:00Lachesis and Co.Making things pretty and making pretty things.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-88934283176397365852015-09-01T10:47:00.003-04:002015-09-01T10:47:46.814-04:00Reducing the StashLately, I find my yarn stash (and my other crafty stashes) overwhelming. When I moved earlier this year, I did a small reduction, but it didn't seem to put a dent my collection. Even though I am lucky enough to have an entire room with a walk-in closet dedicated to my knitting/sewing/crafting, it was packed to the gills. I would love to be a complete crafty-minimalist and only have enough yarn, fabric, etc. on hand for a few projects, but I don't think that will be happening any time soon.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIlWPpEK88Y/VeW5Lx3DCrI/AAAAAAAAAak/JJ4AEIFKuXo/s1600/IMG_2115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="yarn stash" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIlWPpEK88Y/VeW5Lx3DCrI/AAAAAAAAAak/JJ4AEIFKuXo/s400/IMG_2115.JPG" title="yarn stash" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So. Much. Yarn.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />For the past couple of weeks I have been KonMari'ing (see <i><a href="http://tidyingup.com/" target="_blank">The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</a>) </i>my stashes. It can be hard to see past the potential of a yarn or fabric and to focus on if it "sparks joy." The biggest obstacle has been the guilt of wasted money and effort organizing, storing and lugging this stuff around. I had briefly considered selling a lot of the yarns on Ravelry, but there is quite a bit of it...so far two contractor bags worth. To retain my sanity and to stop punishing myself, I have decided to drop it all at my local thrift shop. I also tossed all of my partial skeins...sure they had potential as a stripe in a future project, but so many have been taking up space for years waiting to be stripes.<br /><br />In addition to using "sparks joy" as a qualifier for deciding whether an item stays or goes, I also made lists (lots and lots of lists) of what I like to make, what colors I like, what prints, etc. This really helped give me a road map when I got stuck on an item. I don't wear a lot of florals, I don't like brown, I only like heavily variegated yarns for socks and I don't like dyeing sweater lots of yarn. Giving a voice to my likes and dislikes helped so much and made it so much easier to ditch the yarn that I had bought to make a blanket...I dislike knitting or crocheting blankets, but I felt that since I could do it, I should. It was really freeing to let go of all the "shoulds" that I had stashed for. <br /><br />The sad part is, even with the massive reduction, I still have so much yarn (and fabric). To help further reduce the yarn and fabric I did keep, I made "use it, or lose it" groups. These groups are full of yarn or fabric that I wasn't quite ready to part with and which I still see a ton of potential in...basically a long-term maybe pile. If I don't use these by the start of next summer, they're outta here!<br /><br />I also made groups of stash for planned projects. For sewing, I have the fabric and the patterns paired together and for knitting I have the yarn in Ziploc bags with design notes and sketches. Finally, there are all the other yarns and fabrics that I love...I plan on revisiting them all within the next year or so to see if I still feel the same about them and if I am ready to assign them projects. I should be able to better assess then how much stash I am using in a year and if my tastes have changed.<br /><br />So, I am feeling a bit less stash related stress now having cleared out a bit and having a plan to keep things under control. Are you overwhelmed by your stash? How do you keep it under control? Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-71956273826930704982015-08-05T14:45:00.000-04:002015-08-05T14:49:31.119-04:00WIP: CyllenePoor Cyllene (sə-LEE-nee), this cardi was started in April 2013 - YIKES! After finishing my latest pattern collection, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/poseidons-realm-part-two" target="_blank">Poseidon's Realm Part Two</a>, I felt very guilty about neglecting this project.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NStUyl-bMOo/VcJY9DOHadI/AAAAAAAAAZY/qqpxrNL3TO4/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cyllene knit cardigan WIP " border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NStUyl-bMOo/VcJY9DOHadI/AAAAAAAAAZY/qqpxrNL3TO4/s400/IMG_1891.JPG" title="Cyllene WIP" width="318" /></a></div><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />When I picked this back up, I was having trouble matching my previous gauge and in the intervening years I have had a few weight fluctuations. I am at a crossroads with this WIP right now. It is the perfect time of year to be finishing up a fingering weight cardi, but I am also excited to get to work on the new designs I have sketched up for my fall/winter 15 collection.&nbsp; <br /><br />At this point I will work on this when I have time, and use it as practice for in seam pockets. It may end up in a pocket tutorial, even if it doesn't get sleeves or make it to pattern. Now, I need to get over my camera shyness so I can shoot some of said video tutorials ;)<br /><br />What do you with neglected WIPs that you feel guilty/ambivalent/unhappy about?<br /><br /><br />Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-18309418892391152102014-11-25T05:06:00.000-05:002014-11-25T05:06:51.922-05:00Dictynna is now available and THANKS!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5Qbd_NmAu8/VHRK77fYLtI/AAAAAAAAAVY/B400v-VMONg/s1600/Dictynna2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5Qbd_NmAu8/VHRK77fYLtI/AAAAAAAAAVY/B400v-VMONg/s1600/Dictynna2.jpg" height="640" title="Dictynna, single skein version" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single skein version in Arco Iris</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;My Dictynna shawl pattern in Malabrigo Rasta has just been released! This is just the thing if you need to knock out some quick holiday gifts. Super bulky yarn means that these shawls knit up in hours, not days or weeks. The split square shape is interesting to knit, it helps it stay on your shoulders and creates cool shapes when wrapped around your neck.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aO5l1phARQ/VHRK7f2X4II/AAAAAAAAAVU/aN1Nsc4-hNw/s1600/dictynnalarge6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aO5l1phARQ/VHRK7f2X4II/AAAAAAAAAVU/aN1Nsc4-hNw/s1600/dictynnalarge6.jpg" height="640" title="Dictynna, two-skein version" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two-skein version in Azules</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>New to super bulky yarns? Check out my previous post, <a href="http://www.lachesisandco.com/2014/11/working-with-super-bulky-yarn.html" target="_blank">Working with Super Bulky Yarn</a>. It includes tips for knitting with super bulky yarns, brands of large circular needles and helpful notions.<br /><br />Since this is a time in the US that we take to be thankful for what we have, I just want to say thanks to you! I know I often neglect my blog and take some publishing hiatuses, but without you guys I would have given up long ago. Thank you for supporting me so I can do what I love! Now through 11:59pm EST on November 28 2014, use the code "thanks" in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/tori-gurbisz" target="_blank">my Ravelry store</a> and receive 25% off your purchase...all self-published patterns and eBooks are included.<br /><br />Also, since I have totally spaced on posting about it here, I am participating in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long" target="_blank">Indie Design Gift-A-Long.</a> It is a huge event featuring close to 300 inde designers. There are multiple daily prize drawings, KAL/CALs and tons of fun. The event runs through the end of December so there is still a ton of time to join in!Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-60080017197787469932014-11-22T15:13:00.004-05:002014-11-23T07:55:27.233-05:00Working with Super Bulky Yarn<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMefiY4jUmE/VHDs3TgYzaI/AAAAAAAAAUw/0OTcoA2qdqM/s1600/SBYheader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oMefiY4jUmE/VHDs3TgYzaI/AAAAAAAAAUw/0OTcoA2qdqM/s1600/SBYheader.jpg" height="512" title="Tips for working with Super Bulky Yarns" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malabrigo Rasta in Azules shown with KA US19 circulars.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So super bulky yarn...seems to be a bit of a love/hate thing (though, I guess that is pretty much everything in the fiber arts world)? Personally, I love it! There is nothing like whipping up a lace shawl in a few hours. Plus, the colors of yarns like Malabrigo Rasta and madelinetosh A.S.A.P. are gorgeous. However, I see complaints all the time about working with knitting needles that could double as broom handles. Now, I can't promise to make you love knitting with broom handles, but I do have some tips that might make it marginally more enjoyable!<br /><br />Choose your needles well. I almost always use circular needles, even with super bulky yarns (SBY from here on out). Of course, circular needles size 19 (15mm) aren't the easiest thing to find. Most big box craft stores will carry plastic <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/6030/PictPage/1922210048.html" target="_blank">Lion Brand circulars</a>, I have a pair but I almost always use my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/KA-Classic-Circular-Knitting-Needles/dp/B001AS3S8W" target="_blank">KA Bamboo circulars</a>. Addi makes <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Addi-Turbo-Circular-40-US/dp/B004HOTNVW" target="_blank">metal circulars in size 19</a>. Quite a few other brands including Knitter's Pride and Susan Bates make larger circulars. Find a pair you like and it will make knitting SBY easier on you!<br /><br />Figure out the stitch marker situation. I know not everyone likes or uses stitch markers, but I always include them in my patterns because it gives any easy reference point for me to refer the knitter to. I use these <a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/Clover/StitchMarkerRings.asp?showLarge=true&amp;specPCVID=854" target="_blank">stitch markers</a> that I picked up one of my local craft stores. They are nothing fancy, but they do the trick. The main thing to watch out for is super bulky yarn overs jumping to the wrong side of the marker or the yarn getting caught under the markers. If you find it easier, you can just use loops of waste yarn.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtYoa-t2IUc/VHDtC-akhvI/AAAAAAAAAU4/5bYIzow3RTE/s1600/sby_asap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtYoa-t2IUc/VHDtC-akhvI/AAAAAAAAAU4/5bYIzow3RTE/s1600/sby_asap.jpg" height="512" title="Tips for working with Super Bulky Yarns" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">madelinetosh A.S.A.P. in Moonstone shown with Clover jumbo stitch markers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Gigantic plastic yarn needles! Big ol' ends need to get woven in somehow. I suppose wood or metal work too, but I have only ever seen the super huge plastic ones locally...again at the neighborhood craft store.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzsayvZ84k4/VHDtQzfcjmI/AAAAAAAAAVA/AjxiJjA_Pew/s1600/sby_rasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzsayvZ84k4/VHDtQzfcjmI/AAAAAAAAAVA/AjxiJjA_Pew/s1600/sby_rasta.jpg" height="512" title="Tips for working with Super Bulky Yarns" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malabrigo Rasta in Arco Iris shown with Susan Bates plastic yarn needle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Finally, take your time and take breaks. Knitting with SBY is already super fast, so there is no need to try to set a new knitting world record! Big needles, big yarn and big stitch markers are clumsy and awkward...best to take it slow so you don't have to rip out any work and breaks will help keep your hands (and wrists and arms) happy.<br /><br />I give you these tips to prepare you for the release of my next SBY pattern, Dictynna, which will be available next week. Dictynna joins my other two SBY patterns: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ovate" target="_blank">Ovate</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cordate" target="_blank">Cordate</a>. To date Ovate is my best selling pattern, so maybe not as many people hate SBY as the forums would have you believe...or maybe they just tolerate it for an FO in no time? What do you think of super bulky yarns?Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-35976473731030401442014-08-18T12:34:00.002-04:002014-08-18T12:34:55.854-04:00Finery's up, Crinaeae's on deck and Poseidon's Realm Pt. 2 is in the hole!Since things have been back on track for a bit, it is nice to finally start seeing some progress! The great sample knitter experiment is underway. So far, so good.<br /><br />First up is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/finery-cardigan" target="_blank">Finery</a>, which was released on Friday. I love doing fun and colorful striped and patterned cardigans like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/coastal-hoodie" target="_blank">Coastal Hoodie</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thyone" target="_blank">Thyone</a>, but sometimes it is nice to have a classic cardigan that will go with anything! That was the idea behind Finery. A simple, easy to knit cardigan with a few fine details to dress it up a bit.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rGFKcRctWFA/U_Ik7CH7EvI/AAAAAAAAASk/FlnqiWuO0xo/s1600/Finery7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rGFKcRctWFA/U_Ik7CH7EvI/AAAAAAAAASk/FlnqiWuO0xo/s1600/Finery7.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/lachesis-and-co/225938" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a></div><br /><br />Also, as an aside, I just got my haircut and I LOVE it! I hate taking a ton of time to do my hair, so nothing beats the magic of a wash and wear style for me. Especially in the summer, in the south...the local weatherman described the weather for this week as "an oppressive stretch," I can't wait. Fall always takes too long to come!<br /><br />On deck is Crinaeae, a cable and lace cardigan, also with a coordinating hat. I have almost finished up the samples, which have taken forever due to my CTS. I figured it was best if I finished them instead of sending them off to a sample knitter halfway done. My main concern was that the it would be pretty hard to get an exact gauge match and I didn't want a noticeable line on the cardigan where there was a pinch knitter (to keep the baseball references going)! I don't have any shots of the set for you right now, but I am hoping that everything will be ready to roll on this very soon!<br /><br />There had to be a Part 2, right?! I had originally intended the second in the Poseidon's Realm series to be done within 6 months of the first, but yeah, that didn't happen. The bonus is that it was supposed to only have 3 patterns, but now will have 5 and <i>maybe</i> even 6 new shawl patterns. One sample is already done and 2 have been partially completed by sample knitters, so I am planning on this one to be ready early October. Here is a look at <a href="http://ravel.me/LachesisandCo/j0xza" target="_blank">Dictynna</a> in lovely Rasta in Arco Iris:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKyrsQHrHlo/U_IpT1cMvNI/AAAAAAAAASw/WniZeTa3fRI/s1600/Dictynna1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKyrsQHrHlo/U_IpT1cMvNI/AAAAAAAAASw/WniZeTa3fRI/s1600/Dictynna1.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />I love Rasta so much, nothing like instant gratification. Especially for someone like me that doesn't get that very often. I know some of you hate knitting with large needles, but at least it is only for a very short amount of time, right?! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-83277279598898050012014-06-11T12:15:00.000-04:002014-06-11T12:23:24.039-04:00Changing Your Style.Knitting style, that is. In an effort to reduce stress on my wrists and maybe even speed up my glacial pace a bit, I have been trying different knitting styles. I am sure you have seen the debate that rages on about changing styles. At least once a week or so, a thread will pop up in the "Techniques" forum on Ravelry asking which is the best, fastest, etc. knitting style. Of course, the responses tend to run the gamut from "knit more to get faster at your current style" to "Continental is obviously the fastest" which is then countered by "the world's fastest knitter knits English" and on and on. At least most people tend to agree that it is good to have more than one style in your arsenal.<br /><br />I think it tends to be a lot like running. When I was a marathon coach and still now, working a few hours a week at a running store, I am always asked if it is a good idea to change your running style. It is also often for the same reason that knitters want to change their style: to get faster, more efficient and to prevent injuries. But, changing a style that has become second nature can be quite difficult, whether running or knitting.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a>To my mind, the first and best place to start is ergonomics. Before I decided to try to overhaul my knitting style, I made sure that I was working as efficiently as possible in my current style, which is English ("throwing") by the way. Hey look, here is an old shot of me working a WS row on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hesperides" target="_blank">Hesperides</a> (not looking very ergonomically correct):<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/5507619191" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="knitting hesperides 1 by Tori, on Flickr"><img alt="knitting hesperides 1" height="225" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5254/5507619191_7da6ef2b89_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;I looked at my needle types and which were most comfortable on my hands - my KA Switch Bamboo 4-inch interchangebles, by a long shot! I wonder if that has something to do with the fact that they were my very first set of interchangeable needles and that I have been consistently using them the longest of all my needles (and I have a fair few). The next thing I did was make sure that I maintained good posture while seated and kept my arms and knitting supported.<br /><br />While making these small changes helped quite a bit, I still wanted to try switching things up a bit. Now I already know the basics of Continental ("picking"), but really only enough that I can manage 2-color stranded knitting in the round for small items, like this hat (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/opus-spicatum" target="_blank">Opus Spicatum</a>) and mitten (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quo-vadis" target="_blank">Quo Vadis</a>):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/5238559511" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mittens by Tori, on Flickr"><img alt="Mittens" height="162" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5081/5238559511_cb76a80ef3_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/4407410922" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Prepster by Tori, on Flickr"><img alt="Prepster" height="180" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4016/4407410922_0f3be39b4f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />The only problem, is that any time I have tried to do an entire Continental project, especially one worked flat, things went downhill fast. My gauge was all over the map and purling gave me hell! So, I decided to give up on Continental, other than stranded knitting in the round. Then I tried Russian knitting which was kind of like Continental, but kind of like combined. It didn't last long for me...only a few inches of a sad looking tube.<br /><br />Most recently, I have been playing around with "flicking," shown <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y547Q5Hjcuo&amp;feature=kp" target="_blank">here</a>. I decided to jump in with both feet and start using it right away on a more complex project, a cable and lace cardigan. My main issue so far has been gauge, I knit much tighter with this method, with slightly looser purls. Also, it doesn't play nicely with my <a href="http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/slipping-and-sliding-go-away.html" target="_blank">preferred ssk method</a> (slipless method). Because of these issues, I decided to start a pair of socks in mostly in stockinette, so I could play a little more on a project that could be messed around with a bit. Plus, I did not want to have to start that sweater over again, which I will get into in a future post!<br /><br />Right now, I am back to throwing mostly full-time, with some crocheting mixed in for when my hands and wrists aren't up to knitting and I need a yarny fix. Of course this morning I got an email from Craftsy about a discount on a class they have called "Improve Your Knitting: Alternative Methods and Styles." Yeah, I signed up for it. So, we'll see what happens with that and if I do end up finding a new style that sticks!<br /><br />How many different knitting styles do you use or have you tried? What is your preferred method? Have you stuck with the style you originally learned? Let me know in the comments!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-73922753543433416732014-06-07T07:00:00.000-04:002014-06-07T07:00:01.228-04:00Knitter's Ailments and a Designer's Woes, Pt. 2Here I am with the second installment of solutions I have implemented to help with the common knitter/designer issues I have come up against this year. Check out <a href="http://www.lachesisandco.com/2014/06/knitters-ailments-and-designers-woes-pt1.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> for the first bit and back-story.<br /><br />The next solution on my list is to stop sitting so much! I did that, but my productivity suffered quite a bit. I could only sit for so long, either knitting, sketching, or at the computer. If I ended up sitting for too long sketching, I would be done for the day on any other sitting work that needed to be done. This one is definitely not a cheap solution, but only 24 hours in and I am in love: a standing desk. Here is a little cell phone shot of my new baby...after the jump.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vcNhTxNuXas/U5Hjq4Lz3kI/AAAAAAAAARM/nioybYyjP7U/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vcNhTxNuXas/U5Hjq4Lz3kI/AAAAAAAAARM/nioybYyjP7U/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Tada! This thing is brilliant! I love that I can move it up and down, so it easily goes from sitting to standing. The best part is, it also takes a lot of stress off my wrists while typing and especially while using the mouse. Right now it is still a novelty, so I want to be on the computer every second trying it out. That is a big bonus, I have finally finished putting together my grading workbook in Excel (check out <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/sizing-knitwear-patterns/113?_ct=sbqii-sqjuweho-qbb&amp;_ctp=113,1" target="_blank">this class</a> to learn more, no affiliation, just took it and loved it!) and I have written a few blog posts! I got <a href="http://www.varidesk.com//varidesk-single-plus" target="_blank">this desk</a>, and so far so good (again no affiliation, just super pleased with the product)!<br /><br />Another standing, or actually near standing option I have is a drafting table for my sketching. Of course it is in its box waiting to be assembled and for me to find a place to put it.&nbsp; Now, I just need to find a way to get a bit more coordinated with knitting and standing.<br /><br />Finally, I have been doing hand therapy. While I am working I take short breaks <a href="http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/ctexercise.htm" target="_blank">to stretch</a> my hands and wrists. I have a little <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=foot+rubz&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;hs=y9d&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;channel=sb&amp;tbm=isch&amp;tbo=u&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=au2RU5rTJbSmsATRvoH4Bw&amp;ved=0CJQBELAE&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=875" target="_blank">nubbly ball</a> that is great for massaging my palms, I am lucky that one of my dogs hasn't run off with it yet. Another option I have tried is <a href="http://www.activerelease.com/" target="_blank">ART</a>, it helped quite a bit. It can be a bit painful if you decide to go for it, but definitely worth it.<br /><br />The last CTS therapy I have been doing is ice dips. It pretty much is exactly what it sounds like, fill the sink with water and ice, then dip your arm in, hand to elbow. Not so much fun in the winter, but now that summer has its steamy grip on the South...it can be delightful. It is also the main tenant of the Ravelry group <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/crafting-with-carpal-tunnel/topics" target="_blank">Crafting with Carpal Tunne</a>l. Check them out for even more tips on dealing with CTS!<br /><br />I hope this series has been helpful and given you a few ideas for changes you can make to help prevent and alleviate some common knitter's ailments. Do you have any tips on overcoming knitting overuse injuries? Share them in the comments below!<br /><br /><br /><br />Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-35342963422991645222014-06-06T08:36:00.001-04:002014-06-06T08:36:21.663-04:00Knitter's Ailments and a Designer's Woes, Pt.1I am sure that many of you have noticed that I am not around nearly as much as I used to be. My pattern releases have been less frequent, I only pop into Ravelry occasionally and I am sure that you can tell from the lack of posts here, I have been neglecting this blog the most. So what's the deal? I have fallen prey to the most common of knitter's ailments: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.<br /><br />This is nothing new for me. I have small wrists, so that made me a likely candidate no matter what career path I chose. It is one of the main reasons I gave up cosmetology, plus an allergy to perm solution made a job in a salon pretty miserable for me! With knitting, I have always done well managing it, but lately it has just been wearing me down.<br /><br />In addition to the CTS, my lower back has been killing me lately...I think I have officially crossed into "getting old" territory. It has made sitting for long periods quite uncomfortable. Of course, when typing or knitting, I usually end up in a seated position.&nbsp;<br /><br />So, what are my plans to overcome these issues? Find out after the jump.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />After months of lamenting, procrastinating and all together avoiding the fact that something had to change if I was going to continue as a knitwear designer, I have come to some workable solutions. Some of them everyone can do and some may seem a little out of your average knitter/designer's normal range, but these are what I think will turn it around for me. Hopefully, once I get all of this fully implemented, I will return to my former glory of consistent pattern releases and blog posts!<br /><br />First, I have been working on streamlining my design process. Up to now my process looked like this:<br /><ul><li>Sketch and maybe a rough chart.</li><li>Swatch.</li><li>Do a rough outline of the sample size, maybe check to make sure it is gradable across other sizes (sometimes I didn't check, only to find I had created a design that only worked in one size).</li><li>Knit sample.</li><li>Grade pattern.</li><li>Write up pattern.</li><li>Send it off to my tech editor.</li><li>"Test Knit" (get a few knitters to double check the clarity and see if anything got past my editor and me).</li></ul><ul><li>Publish.</li></ul>My new plan involves outsourcing the sample knitting which means that my new process will go a bit more like this:<br /><ul><li>Sketch.</li><li>Swatch.</li><li>Grade pattern.</li><li>Write pattern.</li><li>Tech edit.</li><li>Sample knitter.</li><li>Publish.</li></ul>&nbsp;As you can see, it is a bit more streamlined. Plus it enables me to catch any issues with grading early in the process, that way I can focus on fixing that or just move on to the next design. Also, the biggest benefit in all of this is that my personal knitting volume is greatly reduced. For a long time I held onto the idea that I must knit all of my own designs and a lot of times I did my designing "on the needles."<br /><br />A couple things helped change my mind on sample knitting. Number one, I was on a deadline and number two, my CTS and lower back pain were a nightmare. At this point I had little choice but to up my game and hire a sample knitter. This meant that I had to switch my process to writing the pattern first instead of knitting the sample myself first. I am happy to say it went swimmingly and really increased my confidence to switch around my process.<br /><br />The other thing I noticed...I really didn't mind not knitting the sample. I thought it would really bug me and I know when I read that a few other designers didn't knit their samples I thought that it must take all of the joy out of designing. You know what? It doesn't, not even one bit! I have found that what I love the most about designing is bringing that sketch to life. I have also found that once I figure the design out, I tend to lose interest in the knitting part. So having someone else take on the knitting allows me to puzzle out my next design. Also, the other big bonus is that I can have multiple samples being worked at one time, allowing me to release more patterns, more often!<br /><br />Yikes! I ended up rambling on for quite a bit there! So as to leave you some time for other endeavors today, I will post the other solutions tomorrow. In the meantime, as a designer, would you ever switch to hiring sample knitters if you don't already? As a knitter, have you ever been interested in sample knitting? Let me know what you think in the comments!Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-82988537011047938182014-05-02T11:55:00.000-04:002014-05-02T11:55:26.880-04:00New Releases and a Sale!I have spent most of the winter and early spring working on some secret stuff, so that is why I haven't been around. Unfortunately, I can't drop any hints for awhile yet, but I hope it will be worth it! Lets move to subjects I can discuss.<br /><br />Last week I released both <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/adrastea">Adrastea</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heliades-2">Heliades</a>! It is probably a little late in the year for hats for those of us in the northern hemisphere, I just could not wait until fall to release it. Of course, if you are one of those that likes to get an early start on your winter knitting, it is perfect timing! At least Heliades is great spring/summer knitting. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5pf_6sB8Ms/U2O-iraEy7I/AAAAAAAAAPg/QP6EBxGOxM8/s1600/adrastea2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5pf_6sB8Ms/U2O-iraEy7I/AAAAAAAAAPg/QP6EBxGOxM8/s1600/adrastea2-1.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Adrastea</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcxHT585ND0/U2O-q1TVw8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/XCLAGtv35gQ/s1600/heliades_m5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcxHT585ND0/U2O-q1TVw8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/XCLAGtv35gQ/s1600/heliades_m5.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Heliades</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As a spring treat, and for those of you participating in MadMay, all of my patterns (including eBooks!) are 25% off through May 4th (11:59pm EDT). Just use the code Spring14 when checking out in my Ravelry store, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/lachesis-and-co">Lachesis and Co.</a>!</div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-26536018813604095142013-10-31T19:58:00.000-04:002013-10-31T19:58:58.982-04:00Indie Design Gift-A-LongGetting ready for the holidays? Feeling overwhelmed already? Well, a bunch of indie designers have teamed up to make your holiday crafting fun instead of just another item on your to do list with the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long">Indie Design Gift-A-Long</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tsHmpaCvGs/UnJ_Hdv1u5I/AAAAAAAAANI/-fwk09Scbb8/s1600/Banner-IndieDesign-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="49" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tsHmpaCvGs/UnJ_Hdv1u5I/AAAAAAAAANI/-fwk09Scbb8/s400/Banner-IndieDesign-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />So what’s in it for you (other than creating amazing gifts to give or keep for yourself)?! All of the participating designers are offering 25% off select patterns from Nov. 1-15 (GMT), see all of the patterns/designers <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/indie-design-gift-a-long/2736024/1-25#1">here</a> (all of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/tori-gurbisz">self-published patterns, including eBooks</a> will be eligible for the discount and GAL prizes), just use the coupon code <b>giftalong</b> at checkout. The GAL will run from Nov. 1 - Dec. 31. There will be prizes, threads to chat with other gifters and support along the way for those last minute gifts ;) I hope you will join us!<br /><br />Here is a sampling of my patterns that will be available (plus any patterns released during the sale will be eligible!):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJX0GyTZlgI/UnJ_vfgNp6I/AAAAAAAAANQ/ShbSKJ53CCE/s1600/landccollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lachesis and co collage" border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJX0GyTZlgI/UnJ_vfgNp6I/AAAAAAAAANQ/ShbSKJ53CCE/s400/landccollage.jpg" title="lachesis and co collage" width="400" /></a></div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-4768560447468171212013-10-24T13:35:00.001-04:002014-11-22T11:09:51.425-05:00Housekeeping?Heh, well I guess it isn't so much housekeeping as it is venturing into the cobweb draped corners of the attic that haven't seen the light of day in ages! Anyway, I want to clean this place up a bit and get it back to a functioning "living" space. So, hopefully I am back...I know I have said that before and then disappeared into the ether, but I'll try harder this time!<br /><br />I won't get into a ton of excuses for my absence. Mostly, there were just other things that took my attention away from knitting and blogging for a while. My plan to prevent this from happening is to add some content other than strictly knitting, kind of like what I did for the holidays a couple of years ago. This way if I am distracted from knitting for a time, it won't take me away from the blog...and for those of you here only for the knitting I hope that doesn't bother you!<br /><br />So, you might be seeing some make-up/nail art posts, maybe some baking or cooking, running and random crafts in addition to the knitting stuff. I have been meaning to get some videos together, too, so once I get iMovie figured out, those will be added to the mix. Also, if anyone is still out there, I will gladly take suggestions on what you guys would like to see here like tutorials or any burning questions you've got&nbsp; :)<br /><br /><br />One last thing...the Everything Nice Hoodie from <i>Fresh Designs: Sweaters</i> is now available as an individual download! Check it out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/everything-nice-hoodie">here</a>!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqF89TE7jm4/VHC1PQNlDcI/AAAAAAAAAUg/mg0WObI2kfw/s1600/everything-nice-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqF89TE7jm4/VHC1PQNlDcI/AAAAAAAAAUg/mg0WObI2kfw/s1600/everything-nice-1.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div><br /><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-67460259671782564022012-04-06T09:37:00.000-04:002012-04-06T09:37:22.907-04:00WOW...I am so sorry for my extended absence! I became completely overwhelmed by my self-imposed knitting goals and had to take a little break from it for my sanity and to indulge a bit in my other hobbies (nail art, anyone?!). At this point, knitting is definitely no longer a hobby, but a job.&nbsp; While I still love it, it does no hold the relaxation or enjoyment that it did before it required deadlines, meticulous notes and hours of typing. Now, don't get me wrong....I am definitely not complaining that I get to sit home and knit, while many others head to work! It has just become like any job...without balance it can become overwhelming.<br /><br />In addition to my little burn out, I was out of town for a couple weeks doing some more skiing and taking care of my nephew while my sister and brother-in-law welcomed my adorable niece to the world! And...I was sick for 2 weeks, plus the summer heat arrived incredibly early here, so all of that helped throw a wrench in my knitting schedule as well. I do have adorable pictures of S in the (too big - she's such a peanut!) hat that I knit for her, if that helps make up for it ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg4JUIMDJ0w/T37p7s8DYMI/AAAAAAAAAIw/AeTn40iB1No/s1600/Sophia8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg4JUIMDJ0w/T37p7s8DYMI/AAAAAAAAAIw/AeTn40iB1No/s320/Sophia8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q986L8n-eLs/T37q0EyxFsI/AAAAAAAAAI4/jCVi7c-GRf4/s1600/photo%283%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q986L8n-eLs/T37q0EyxFsI/AAAAAAAAAI4/jCVi7c-GRf4/s320/photo%283%29.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br /><br />Since I have gotten my mojo back...I have decided to start working on another shawl eBook.&nbsp; Currently I am planning to include 4 designs, but I may decide to add more! The other day, I got to see the final proof of the <i>Fresh Designs: Sweaters</i> book from <a href="http://www.cooperativepress.com/">Cooperative Press</a> that has a pattern of mine in it! I can't wait until the book is published!<br /><br />Also, I have promised to put together a little video on top-down pockets...there isn't much out there for top-down pockets. I found that quite surprising considering the popularity of top-down sweaters, though, maybe it isn't as popular as I think?! So if you know of any top-down pocket videos/tutorials, definitely let me know...I love finding more resources to point people towards if they want to add pockets to their Zephyr or Gamine and I want to make sure I am filling a gap in the currently available information! <br /><br />I'll be back soon...I promise ♥Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-24865002651939924542012-02-16T15:56:00.001-05:002012-02-16T17:25:30.396-05:00FAIL, a sale and Cordate is out!Oy...hey there, so I made no progress on my WIPs this week&nbsp; &gt;_&lt;&nbsp; At least I did finish up and release <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cordate">Cordate</a>! Annnd....2/17 through 3/2 all patterns in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/lachesis-and-co">Rav shop</a> will be 25% off...no code needed!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6675995151/" title="cordate2rad by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="cordate2rad" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6675995151_bb10b06081.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />$4.50 <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/lachesis-and-co/92325"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-60979067591136163152012-02-13T11:18:00.000-05:002012-02-13T11:18:26.428-05:00Swatch It: AlluvionThis poor sweater has nearly been swatched to death! It is still a WIP, actually it has been languishing a bit. I am almost done with the body, but I have just been soooo easily distracted lately...plus my niece is scheduled to enter the world at the beginning of March, so baby knitting has taken priority :)<br /><br />Anyway here is a look at the ridiculous amount of swatches...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6831213445/" title="alluvion2 by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="alluvion2" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6831213445_f056ce5d91.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6328287445/" title="Alluvion swatch 2 by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="Alluvion swatch 2" height="375" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6328287445_2aaa92cbf8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6831212895/" title="alluvion1 by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="alluvion1" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6831212895_7c5c5607c6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />So...what's with all the swatches, right?!? Well, this is what happens when I really want to work with a yarn that I have never used before! I was trying different patterns to check out the stitch definition, making large swatches to check the drape and mostly trying to find out what the yarn wanted to be.&nbsp; By the way, the yarn is <a href="http://blueskyalpacas.com/yarns/techno/">Blue Sky Alpacas Techno </a>and it is unlike anything I have used before. It is extremely light and fluffy and just different. It does not have any twist, as it is a silk net tube with baby alpaca and merino "blown" into it. <br /><br />The winner ended up being the swatch in the third picture, I like how the simpler antler cable and garter rib compliment the yarn better.&nbsp; Also I worried that the fuzziness of the yarn might end up obscuring the more detailed texture patterns over time. Don't worry, though...they will be making appearances in other designs at some point!<br /><br />I am heading out of town again for a bit (more skiing!), but before I do, I hope to make some more progress both on Alluvion and some baby knits! So before the week is out I should hopefully have at least a WIP shot and a cute little FO or two :)Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-91481007551756760832012-02-10T08:00:00.001-05:002012-02-10T08:00:03.861-05:00OPP's: Parisian TwistOh, I love this...so quick, too! I kept seeing ads for this in my Rav notebook and I needed something to keep my ears warm while my hair was in a ponytail...serendipitous! I present to you, my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/parisian-twist-headband-ear-warmer">Parisian Twist</a>:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6831211687/" title="opptwist3 by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="opptwist3" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6831211687_b0c34a3485.jpg" width="357" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6831211067/" title="opptwist by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="opptwist" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6831211067_500f5b2a09.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6831211329/" title="opptwist2 by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="opptwist2" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6831211329_9c3d841805.jpg" width="357" /></a><br /><br />I really love working on other designers' patterns.&nbsp; It is a nice break from the work of designing, I mean I am able to just sit down and get knitting...no math, no pressure! I try to keep it to small accessories and the like, though, so I don't feel guilty that I am taking away too much time from my designing!Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-89060574740349999362012-02-08T08:00:00.018-05:002012-02-08T08:00:14.718-05:00Swatch It: GamineHere's a look back at the beginnings of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/lachesis77/gamine-vest">Gamine</a>...if you look close you can even see the origins of <a href="http://lachesisandco.blogspot.com/2012/01/sneak-peek-cordate.html">Cordate</a> in this swatch! This was actually the fourth or fifth swatch for Gamine.&nbsp; As I said in a previous post, Gamine was the first garment design idea that I sketched out in my little design notebook.&nbsp; I wanted to take a lot of time with it to make sure that it was right!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6831212103/" title="gamineswatch by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="gamineswatch" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6831212103_0d122ec0f5.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><br />This was the first swatch that was done in the final color. I know a lot of you anti-swatchers might think I am crazy...but my original swatches were in another color, that didn't end up being quite right. The different colors felt a bit different weight and drape-wise, so I went ahead and did another swatch in the final color. Obsessive, maybe...but it ensures that my pattern will come out the correct size and so will your FO!&nbsp;Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-40250542305573174412012-02-06T15:26:00.000-05:002012-02-06T15:26:50.765-05:00How I Wore It: Coastal HoodieCan I just say I love my Hoodie!?! It really is the perfect weight for our mild Southern winters. I&nbsp; wore this quite a bit apres ski with my awesome <a href="http://www.teva.com/productdetails.aspx?g=w&amp;productID=4323&amp;model=Vero%20Boot%20WP">Teva snowboots</a>, a couple days it was quite warm and I didn't need anything over it...though it is a nice weight for layering under jackets.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6831210893/" title="howiworecoastal by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="howiworecoastal" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6831210893_2b60b6cb80.jpg" width="357" /></a><br /><br />This is like my daily uniform, I just alternate between jeans and T's :) Also I am still crazy in love with <a href="http://www.gettotallyrad.com/products/radlab/">RadLab</a>, if you couldn't tell ;PTorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-33236289303319689032012-02-03T09:07:00.000-05:002012-02-03T09:07:15.099-05:00An Interview...Hey there, just a quick little post for you today! I was interviewed by Robin Hunter on her blog, <a href="http://knittingrobin.blogspot.com/2012/02/interview-withtori-gurbisz.html">check it out.</a>&nbsp; It was really fun and the questions were quite interesting and thought provoking for me. Thanks, Robin!<br /><br />Right now I am working on putting the finishing touches on Cordate, so hopefully it will be ready to go next week! I also have to edit all those photos I took so I can show you guys some more of my Swatch Its, How I Wore It and an O.P.P. (Other Person's Pattern) that kept me warm on the slopes.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-26209248291671201472012-02-01T12:42:00.001-05:002012-02-01T12:43:39.895-05:00And...I am back!Sorry for my absence, I was on vacation! I would have posted to let you guys know, but I had planned on scheduling posts while I was gone. Obviously that did not work out&nbsp; &gt;_&lt; I did get all of the photos taken at least! To be honest, I am not sure why I thought I would have time to edit photos, write and schedule posts all while preparing for a week-long, multi-stop road trip!<br /><br />I did enjoy my vacation...I still bear the bruises! First we stopped up at my sister's so I could have a joint birthday party with my nephew...he turned three and I turned...a lot more than that (like +29)! I am happy to report that he loved his little monster and promptly named him "Shark."<br /><br />After our stop there we headed about 2.5 hours SW (well it actually took a lot longer than that because there was fog thicker than pea soup on winding mountain roads!) to Wintergreen, VA. There, Ken and I skied for the first time...of course he took to it like a duck to water and I took to it like a duck about to be flambeed!<br />Why yes, I do have video evidence:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" height="227" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&amp;photo_secret=6f5667c654&amp;photo_id=6802227979"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&amp;photo_secret=6f5667c654&amp;photo_id=6802227979" height="227" width="400"></embed></object></div><br />This brilliant bit of skiing was after 2.5 days on the slopes, one group lesson and about an hour into a 3 hour private lesson. Even better, we are going to Utah in a few weeks, maybe by then I will progress to actually using poles ;P<br /><br />Here are some shots on the mountain, Eagles' Swoop:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6802216099/" title="Eagles' Swoop by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="Eagles' Swoop" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6802216099_ff576eef79.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />And The Plunge tubing park (I was really good at this, heh):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6802219765/" title="Tubing! by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="Tubing!" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6802219765_0b22dbf7e2.jpg" width="500" /></a>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-65023894441643257602012-01-18T11:41:00.000-05:002012-01-18T11:41:15.230-05:00OPP's...Other People's PatternsOccasionally, I make the time to knit other designer's patterns.&nbsp; It is very rare though, since I feel guilty that I am not working on my own designs.&nbsp; But, sometimes...I just need a break, or I want to try something new or I just want to knit without all the preamble that designing requires. &nbsp; <br /><br />Yesterday I made a <a href="http://rebeccadanger.typepad.com/rebecca_danger/2009/07/monster-chunks-have-landed.html">Monster Chunk</a>, these guys are so cute and so quick! I do have Rebecca Danger's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Knitted-Monsters-Mischievous/dp/1604680091"><i>The Big Book of Knitted Monsters</i></a> and I love the monsters in the book, but I wanted something super-fast...so the Chunks won out! This weekend I am heading up to VA to have a little joint birthday party with my adorable nephew and this a little present for him.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6720442749/" title="Monster chunk by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="Monster chunk" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6720442749_fb33572ed0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Isn't he cute?! I used <a href="http://malabrigoyarn.com/sub_yarn.php?id_sub_yarn=5">Malabrigo Merino Worsted</a> in Apple Green and Blue Surf, the safety eyes are from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/6060">6060 on Etsy</a> and I grabbed the felt at A.C. Moore.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-49988519164582774962012-01-13T15:56:00.000-05:002012-01-13T15:56:24.086-05:00How I Wore It: OvateHey guys! Here's me, wearing my Ovate (large)...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0y3yn6P56I/TxCWREYRYjI/AAAAAAAAAIo/RtDePPt0j7w/s1600/Iworeovate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ovate Shawl" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0y3yn6P56I/TxCWREYRYjI/AAAAAAAAAIo/RtDePPt0j7w/s640/Iworeovate.jpg" title="Ovate Shawl" width="457" /></a></div><br /><br />Black jeans (which is totally branching out for me!) and a white turtleneck, nothing exciting, but I love wearing the large version of Ovate like this.&nbsp; I attach the toggles along one edge and the pull the end of the other side through the "loop" it makes. It is easy, looks great and won't slide off the shoulders!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-47205525734975404392012-01-10T21:12:00.005-05:002012-02-03T14:13:21.924-05:00Sneak Peek: CordateHere is a better look at Cordate for you guys! I finished up the draft today, shot the pictures and got it out to my testers.&nbsp; I do need to re-shoot the photos, because I didn't get the detail that I wanted, but there was a storm rolling in. Plus, I realized that the wrong side of the scarf was showing in about half of the pictures and I was making ridiculous faces in some of the others &gt;_&lt; Anyway, enough talking, here are the pics:<br /><br /><br />&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6675995151/" title="cordate2rad by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="cordate2rad" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6675995151_bb10b06081.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><script src="http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <br /><br /><script src="http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><script src="http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6675995931/" title="cordate4rad by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="cordate4rad" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6675995931_f0e7e4c869.jpg" width="357" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6675994775/" title="cordate1rad by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="cordate1rad" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6675994775_def686ccd8.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6675995649/" title="cordate3rad by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="cordate3rad" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6675995649_edab133441.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />See...wrong side, at least it doesn't look that bad!&nbsp; I did have a ton of fun editing these in photoshop (got it for Christmas, a nice upgrade from elements!) and <a href="http://www.gettotallyrad.com/products/radlab/">RadLab</a>, which really is quite rad! If you have photoshop and are looking for a way to make editing really simple and awesome you should check it out (no, they don't pay me, I just love it)!Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-68314057721353012012-01-09T10:25:00.001-05:002012-01-09T10:39:02.786-05:00Swatch It!I am sure everyone knows the importance of swatching...but I admit that I am still amazed when I hear people say that they don't swatch.&nbsp; It is such a small thing, that right off the bat, can determine the success or failure of a project.&nbsp; It is a lovely "first date" with your yarn (without all that awkwardness and sweaty palms!), where you get to know each other and can determine if you two will work well together in the long term.&nbsp; You get to learn what needles your yarn works well with and how well behaved it is after an introduction to water.&nbsp; Sometimes it just doesn't work out, or you may find that yarn is better suited to another project down the road.<br /><br />Me, I love swatching, if you can't tell from that lead in! It wasn't always this way, but after many hours and a couple of ill-fitting sweaters in my early knitting career, lesson learned.&nbsp; Now, sometimes I am more excited about swatching than any other part of the project. I love trying new yarns and stitch patterns and also trying out different needles (bamboo, hardwood, stainless steel) to see which will be most comfortable and easiest to work with.<br /><br />All of my designs are based off of the gauge on my swatch. Before I got into designing I didn't realize all the math involved and that the key numbers that rule everything are the stitches and rows per inch.&nbsp; All of the stitch counts, finished measurements and grading starts with those numbers, so it really is important!&nbsp;&nbsp; I can guarantee that in most instances, if you do not obtain pattern gauge, it will not come out the size stated in the pattern...size and gauge go hand in hand. By simply taking a little extra time before you start, you can ensure an awesome FO!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6667220017/" title="Untitled by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6667220017_076cded23a.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><br />So after my little ode to swatching, I will try to offer a weekly piece wherein I feature a swatch that I am working on.&nbsp; Heck I could probably feature a swatch a day with the number I have hanging around here ;)Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-50026777457574143742012-01-06T17:17:00.000-05:002012-01-06T17:17:11.209-05:00Gamine is DONE!Hello! Just a quick little post today to let you know that <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gamine-vest">Gamine</a> is now available for download!&nbsp; I finally got my act together and finished it up this week, along with the help of my editor and a lovely group of test knitters.&nbsp; <br /><br />It has been a long process with this one...this was actually the first design I sketched out in my little notebook.&nbsp; Hoping at the time, that one day I would have the ability to turn it into a wearable garment. Here it is, at long last, and I am pretty pleased with the results ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachesis77/6647455057/" title="gamine_back by LachesisandCo., on Flickr"><img alt="gamine_back" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6647455057_0eedb7c642.jpg" width="357" /></a><br /><br />$6.00 <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/lachesis-and-co/88177"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269811337006123853.post-19511656968058624882012-01-05T19:54:00.000-05:002012-01-05T19:54:46.109-05:00How I Wore It...Now, I am definitely not the most fashionable girl on the block...my self-consciousness and need for comfort tend to get in the way. Plus, I don't really do a lot of exciting stuff.&nbsp; I don't find myself out having cocktails multiple times a week at swanky venues, so my wardrobe doesn't extend far beyond casual.&nbsp; I base my designs around my lifestyle and what I like to wear...which is how I came up with this idea.&nbsp; I plan on showing how I wear my knits...there will be a lengthy hiatus once it heats up down here (in a couple of months), though! But I thought this might be a fun way to see the design beyond the "pattern page" photos.<br /><br />Here I am in my large Belmondo, getting ready to go shopping:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub3MTi7n5no/TwZEeUtFbuI/AAAAAAAAAHw/Lj6-ucSYdOA/s1600/belmondo2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub3MTi7n5no/TwZEeUtFbuI/AAAAAAAAAHw/Lj6-ucSYdOA/s640/belmondo2012.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br />I wear this shawl all the time, usually wrapped as a scarf or around my shoulders when it is a little chilly. Jeans and t-shirts are usually the order of the day for me, so hopefully this won't get too boring as the weeks go on ;)Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790177044294221708noreply@blogger.com0